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Olé
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Posts posted by Olé
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21 minutes ago, The Original OTIB said:
and the mysterious orange orb ...? ghost of City away wins past ...
I'm not a railway expert or anything but it could be a train.
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3 hours ago, Olé said:
I'm surprised you didn't go to Mill Hill and not Blackburn station, it's identical to Parson Street, you'd have loved it.
I had forgotten I actually took a picture of it at about 7 last night after several drinks @Never to the dark side
Feast your eyes on this. Trains to Blackburn on the left, to Preston on the right. Ticket machine out of order.
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2 hours ago, Never to the dark side said:
Your two best photos John are the skip giving a teamtalk to some wheelie bins and the "Welcome Millwall" sign?!
I'm surprised you didn't go to Mill Hill and not Blackburn station, it's identical to Parson Street, you'd have loved it.
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City's desperate away run of 2 points in 33 and conceding 2 or more goals in 12 straight road trips deservedly came to an end up at playoff chasing Blackburn as a purposeful and resolute Robins withstood a second half rally from timid, out of form Blackburn - and then saved their 83rd minute penalty before claiming a 92nd winner and rare clean sheet.
Like QPR and Peterborough a half year ago in the end City will have felt lucky to take all three points away from home yet unlike both those games this was far more deserving - easily the better side for much of the game until a ridiculously bad cameo from sub Massengo handed Rovers' initiative and seemingly the game - but somehow fate had other plans.
A feature of Blackburn's low confidence had been a side often throwing themselves to the floor up in attacking positions hoping for respite. The referee was not fooled but that pressure for a decision built to a late penalty for sub Dack, Bentley saving easily, before Williams - with DaSilva standout performers - teeing Weimann's stunning volleyed winner.
City started in a back 5 with the top scorer himself at right wing back, but it was they that settled fastest, inside just two minutes Semenyo broke down the left channel, left a marker for dead to get into space before slashing across the face of goal but beyond the far post. He'd have a shout for a penalty minutes later as Scott led a sweeping move.
For Blackburn to finally get into the game it took Khadra dribbling the ball out of play off a cut in from the left wing - linesman and ref oblivious but a succession of corners for the home side followed, Lenihan forcing a point blank Bentley save low down to his left from a right wing corner from Rothwell. The hosts has finally started to show a rare threat.
Midway through the half Semenyo robbed a Blackburn defender out on the right and cut it across where Chris Martin forced a corner. City by far the more probing and repeatedly the first to every ball led by Rob Atkinson. In the 34th minute Semenyo spread out left to DaSilva whose centre was half cleared by Martin and Semenyo half volleyed over.
By now City were simply wasting their clear advantage - on 42 Scott overhit a free kick into the box after Martin was pulled down, a typically soft end to a big chance. Yet inside half time Blackburn nearly scored, a quick ball over the top put Pickering in behind our defenders to draw a defender and square to Costello but Weimann raced over to hijack.
The Austrian's tackle saved a clear goal at the half and within 45 minutes he'd also bag a winner. But first Khadra would get booked for diving (Blackburn's main tactic). Almost immediately Atkinson gave away a second ball on our left and made it worse by failing to react to the runner at a loose ball - Travis able to fire over from the edge of the box.
A shy Blackburn side were by now moving the ball faster and carved through our back line on 53 to steal in from the left to force a Bentley point blank save from Khadra, Scott hooking clear with a rebound lined up. City were increasingly wasteful and squandered two balls over the top, the hosts forcing the second Bentley save - this time from Travis.
Massengo was sent on for Scott - surprising change with the returning James still on - yet City by now were ragged as the impetuous and chaotic midfielder raced round time and again giving it away to opponents - easily his worst performance in a City shirt. Pearson would send on Nahki Wells for willing runner Semenyo as the visitors looked for an answer.
As Blackburn rallied the game had become an end to end battle - sub Wells wasting a shot after good work by DaSilva allowing a break by Rovers for Khadra to force a save, City breaking again only for Massengo to miscue once more and send the hosts away who between diving for desperate fouls put Khadra clear on goal to force another save.
Midway into the second half City's star man DaSilva again got in behind Blackburn's right back to cross for Weimann to head back at the far post yet sub Wells couldn't swivel in the six yard box at close range and gave it away. Suddenly Dack was on for the hosts whose home fans finally made some noise.
With 20 left and Massengo the weak link in a retreating midfield, dangerman Khadra hit the crossbar with a cross shot from the left touchline after a poorly defended throw in, five minutes later Williams found room from City's left and squared to where Wells was able to cushion back for James on the edge of the area to force a low and stinging save.
By now Blackburn had been looking to dive in the box for penalties all game and finally the referee relented on weight of evidence - the abysmal Massengo pushing van Hecke in a crowded box from a cross yet sub Dack fired to Bentley's left and he claimed. Soon after Rovers swept down the left and fired across goal for a tap in but City clung on.
Saving the spot kick should have helped to secure a deserved point having redoubled away fan voices - and yet there was more to come as City continued to take the game to their fussy give-us-a-FK oriented players. With minutes left Williams skipped through their back line with teammates pouring into the box yet Martin, teed up to finish, fell over.
Heading into injury time a quick reverse put DaSilva away into room on the left but his deep cross over everyone saw Williams with space and time at the far post smash wildly over with the goal at his mercy. That should have been it but with home fans begging the ref for free kicks a late break towards the small bank of travelling fans was decisive.
Ewood Park had been quiet but the noise had slowly ratcheted up as Blackburn dived about and howled to be awarded fouls - the referee didn't blink and several minutes into time added on City again went direct finally finding Williams on the turn from the left to loop over the box to where "wing back" Andi Weimann unleashed a ridiculous winner.
Bentley 9
Klose 7
Cundy 8
Atkinson 7
DaSilva 8
Weimann 7
Williams 8
James 7
Scott 7
Martin 7
Semenyo 7
Massengo 3
Wells 6
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2 minutes ago, Slippin cider said:
Can’t remember the game but I do recall one fan being ejected from the top of the Doleman and completely missing most of the steps on the way down to the bottom. I was seated in the Williams at the time …he was like a pin ball …
Leeds
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9 hours ago, grifty said:
I'm just disappointed that almost everything we did in those 5 or 6 games where we looked good (offensively) we've seemingly stopped doing.
The quick passes along the ground in midfield, almost playing triangles and working it around the opposition, Alex Scotts quick forward passes, Semenyo running at pace, Weimann harrying and popping up everywhere, Martin holding the ball up and runners playing off him.
We've just reverted to poor passes putting people on the back foot, lumping it up to Martin, he challenges for the ball, but no-one is within 15 years of him, Semenyo gets the ball and slows everything down. There's also a massive amount of poor football knowledge or talk on the pitch as the amount of times a midfielder or defender had time to bring the ball back and retain possession decides to head the ball back up the air in the rough direction of the centre circle astounds me. I see better footballing decisions and desire to pass the ball about made at my work kick about on a Monday evening.
Alex Scott is still the best player on the pitch in any position. Dasilva I think has been very good the last few games.
Agree with all of this. Especially Scott and Dasilva.
But I don't think we've gone away from the improved attacking football and patterns of play, we just make far far too many unforced errors, god knows what we do in training as despite what we're force fed by Robins Uncut, we're a team that is poorly drilled in making mistake after mistake and gives the ball away needlessly in midfield with the wrong pass or touch, or in attacking positions puts 90% of its final balls and crosses too short too high too long - there are flashes of quality as you say most notably Scott and Dasilva but the chances of us stringing anything together reduce rapidly with every touch. Williams put his body everywhere yesterday but was awful at times and Matty James didn't control midfield against a very average opposition.
Also the secret is out on Semenyo - absolutely lethal in January once he gets the ball under control and runs the channel but get into him early and disrupt his first touch of force him to lay it off and you take away his threat. He's still winning more than his fair share of balls forward but he's being forced to play like a conventional target man with his back to goal or forced to rely on crosses and not given a chance to get on the ball and run at people.
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City's much improved form since Xmas was nowhere to be seen away at playoff chasing Forest as an anonymous performance and a TWELFTH consecutive 2+ goal surrender at an away ground - the last eleven of which have netted just two points - made for easily forgettable fare at a sun bathed City ground.
Steve Cooper's passing football should not have been a surprise but the last thing you'll want to do for a side like that is give the ball away and City did it repeatedly. Bar a brief spell of pressure at the midway point of the first half with a high press, the visitors never threatened and were easily beaten by wave after wave of attack down the channels.
The writing was on the wall after just three minutes, not for the last time in a very long afternoon City were hustled off the ball in a one sided midfield and Forest sent Kienan Davis clear down the left channel who then cut it back for Spence to force Bentley to tip over with a curling shot at the edge of the box.
Minutes later the City captain would tip over again from Garner's right wing free kick as a header on allowed Cook to apply a finish at the far post from close range, a miraculous save forcing it over the bar. The visitors then actually enjoyed a spell of pressure as they pressed high but DaSilva squandered play.
Before half hour Davis got in behind again on the left channel and squared to the edge of the box for Johnson to steer wide right. It was yet another warning that City would not heed. In response Semenyo was able to skip past players and force a corner from which DaSilva wasted the second phase in the box.
City were in the game and when Semenyo - yet again far too often penalised rather than protected - was awarded a rare free kick, a left wing Alex Scott cross found Weimann in behind but his header was glanced straight into the keepers hands. It would be our only shot on target and the last time we threatened.
On 37 an innocuous break down the right saw Johnson simply keep on running when faced by Cam Pring standing off and so he carried on into box and fired past Bentley at his near post. Arguably the easiest of saves on offer for the overworked City keeper and yet the only one which he didn't make.
Before half time it could have been two as a right wing corner was headed on and Davis forced yet another point blank reaction save by Bentley to tip away. City needed to get a reaction and at half time Pring was hauled off for Cundy with profligate DaSilva moved over to his more natural left flank position.
But that change required Scott, possibly the only player who showed any quality for City, to move to right wing back - and that, sadly, was that for the visitors as a threat. The away side could not get out of their own half and even if they did Forest quickly pressed to force Williams and DaSilva out of possession.
Within ten minutes or half time it was two as Lowe beat Massengo too easily to get to the byline and cut it back to the edge of the box where multiple City players simply watched as Garner, free of any challenge, curled a low driven shot into the bottom corner. Right in front of away fans a comfortable 2-0 lead.
City already appeared to be well beaten but Wells replaced Martin and then James came in for the careless Massengo - but despite a few bright touches from Wells, the visitors were largely non existent. With quarter of an hour left Williams slipped and Zinckernagel went clean through but Bentley blocked 1 on 1.
City went down to ten men late on as Kalas sustained an injury at the back - in a game referee Darren Bond had been consistently fussy in, despite only penalising Semenyo and other strikers yet ignoring fouls against them. At the death Wells won a free kick but from Scott's centre Weimann volleyed well over.
Despite stiff competition this was easily the worst half of football from Nigel Pearson's men this season - watching ponderously at every loose ball and never able to generate any threat. At a capacity City Ground and with a decent away following, it became the ELEVENTH consecutive travels without a win.
Bentley 6
Klose 6
Kalas 5
DaSilva 4
Pring 4
Williams 4
Massengo 5
Scott 7
Weimann 6
Martin 5
Semenyo 6
Cundy 7
James 5
Wells 6
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I think one of the players he is referring to is O'Dowda who yet again contributed absolutely nothing.
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It's frustrating but it's simply because we keep losing close games from winning positions, it magnifies the impact which decisions would have had. I expect every club has a list of ones that got away, but no one remembers them all because several would be in fixtures where the result was not affected. We on the other hand are left needing them all back.
I mean refereeing in most of the fixtures mentioned has been woeful (QPR game most aggregiously) but there is nothing more sinister than that, as per @ExiledAjaxcoin toss analogy, you can't make a trend out of unrelated events. And the old story of our players not managing the ref doesn't apply either, Weimann and Martin are in their ear the whole time.
Also I don't read anything into the stat about least in Europe, someone has to be last, it is an irrelevance without knowing number of claims, and until the past six weeks we all know how depressing an attacking side we became over the past couple of years, don't forget last season we were zero threat and broke Championship records for fewest shots on target.
Tl;Dr - refereeing is frustrating, spineless, inconsistent, but it only sticks out more because we can't hold onto a result.
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City's season has become so formulaic the only mystery is whether we will be beaten by a complete inability to stop conceding goals from crosses or due to whistle happy match officials who suddenly go silent at the exact moment required to screw us. In biblical rain at Swansea we had both these familiar foes.
Weimann capped an end to end first half by lasering into the top corner after good work by the unplayable Semenyo, but a continued failure by O'Leary to attack crosses coupled with Vyner losing his man got Swansea level and despite City's high press causing chaos - it was Swansea who stole into a lead.
All eyes on match officials including ref and part-time pantomime villain Keith Stroud - a go ahead goal that looked clearly offside, a mistake that was compounded when before the end Semenyo was clipped in the box for no penalty, the sort of brief contact that he had been whistling outside the box all day.
With a capacity away following that left City fans standing in aisles in growing drizzle, it was the away side who shaded an open first half. At the midway point Klose turned wide from Scott's corner and then Obafemi twice saw shots around the area blocked though O'Leary flapped badly at a right wing corner.
On the half hour it was all City - as Semenyo deep ball was recycled before DaSilva laid it off to Vyner whose cross was half cleared to where Massengo robbed an opponent to tee up Scott - whose wickedly curling shot from the edge of the box spun just inches wide of the left post. City clearly growing in threat.
Minutes later Weimann found space running the channel to send a fierce rising volley just past the right post. Semenyo went on a run again, skipping past players at the edge of the box before testing Fisher low to his left. Before the break City robbed their hosts for Semenyo to setup Weimann's explosive opener.
After the break Swansea's passing football started to probe yet despite a series of good blocks and clearances, inside ten minutes it was level as Christie drove a simple cross in front of a still frozen to his line O'Leary and Vyner allowed Obafemi to drift off at the far post to tap in. A goal we regularly concede.
With Williams on for Massengo City actually looked more likely to get the second. Before the hour Pring spun a marker, then Weimann got Semenyo in behind the last man on the left but his drilled cross was between his team mates. A stray boot left in by Obafemi then forced O'Leary off for Bentley in goal.
More City at the midway point as a cavalier move on the right saw Martin skipping in off a DaSilva through ball and tricking his way past a defender only to see a shot blocked. The visitors high press was causing keeper Fisher nightmares and Weimann robbed one of his bad touches to win a chaotic corner.
DaSilva hacked down Wolf on the left byline and from Downes free kick to beyond the far post Wolf almost swept home. Another steal by Semenyo put Weimann clear on the left to cut inside and see his shot deflected over. Scott's corner appeared underhit but Martin met it near post to backheel over the far post.
With quarter of an hour left an intricate City passing combination from out on the right wing saw Weimann slip a marker and feed Semenyo inside the box - who despite close attention from his opposite number stayed on his feet and managed a low shot on the turn that was pushed away just wide of goal.
Then controversy as Swansea went in front - against the run of play. Calamity from yet another deep cross this time from Piroe on the left - with Christie and Nitcham stealing ahead of Pring to turn home, though it was the former of them who seemed to be well offside when converting a second attempt.
Before 90 the irrepressible Semenyo looked to be caught on his ankle inside the box but nothing was given - despite ref Stroud being rapid to stop play for small similar contacts outside the box. Then in injury time as City pushed up with Wells, space opened up for Piroe to go clear and drive home decisively.
A two goal margin flattered a beatable and largely fortuitous, patient Swans side, but it was City, seeking a sixth win from their last seven trips across to Wales (the only defeat without fans) - that today instead despite a lively opening, surrendered in the heavy rain to deep crosses and shallow officiating.
O'Leary 5
Vyner 4
Klose 7
Kalas 6
Massengo 6
Scott 7
Pring 5
DaSilva 6
Weimann 7
Semenyo 8
Martin 7
Williams 6
Bentley 6
Wells 5
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9 minutes ago, headhunter said:
Why don't they? Lack of respect for the show, presenters?
Have you ever been on? Why not come on as a guest on our pod next Sunday after the Swansea game - Neil Sutton has shown how easy it is to integrate and even perfected the NP style of a mocking chuckle he displays to reflect disdain to some of Ian's comments!!!
Dave I listen to FBC all the time and really enjoy it including Ian's views. But Radio Bristol is not a barometer of opinion and the fact Ian is on every week regardless of whether he has been to a game I don't think should be a positive qualification.
I have a simple view that none of us have the first clue about football if we did we'd be working in the game. So we don't need to take ourselves so seriously and asking for resignations after an improving side is totally off it at Blackpool is too simplistic.
I did used to ring Geoff after away games when I was a teenager but a mate let off a fire extinguisher in my face when I was on air somewhere outside Cambridge ground and never done it since. It sounds like they are happy ringing Madeira for hot takes.
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1 minute ago, headhunter said:
why does Geoff 20man give him airtime after every game?
Because no one else calls in?
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5 hours ago, RonWalker said:
it does certainly read like your dislike of COD is more personal, certainly your comments about him come across that way.
Thanks I was writing match reports from away games when Callum O'Dowda was three.
Not sure how criticism can qualify as personal or not but quick reminder that he has played more City games than anyone else at the club or on the pitch yesterday - Kalas the next is about 25 games behind him - and yet I know absolutely no one who can tell me anything meaningful he has done in all this time representing us.
Oh, and the manager yesterday saw fit to take him off after just 45 yesterday so I guess that must be personal too.
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Highlighting their ridiculous inconsistency, City returned to Lancashire just a week after their slick passing and control dominated a 2-2 draw at Preston - and instead fell apart in the cold and rain at Blackpool, their early purpose surrendered to their usual inability to defend crosses, woeful from two in short succession and ultimately well beaten.
Two goals in two minutes largely against the run of play - the latest double salvo keeper O'Leary has stayed rooted to his line for - continued City's woeful record of defending this season, and in poor conditions gave the few away players who looked like they didn't fancy it a chance to surrender, an easy third after the break making the result academic.
It was not without tireless work from in form Massengo and some classy touches out of midfield from Scott, but besides Semenyo, City's forwards were anonymous and never got the ball under control while at the other end Pearson's back line was far too slow to deal with Blackpool movement especially on the break - and from crosses got destroyed.
A meltdown wasn't on the cards when inside two minutes Massengo robbed an opponent and fed Semenyo, but the striker dwelled on the ball and was robbed, Hamilton breaking down the left to square for Bowler to force a save from O'Leary. On 12 Scott recovered a 50/50 in his half and one touch off DaSilva sent Semenyo clear to force a diving save.
At the midway point of the half O'Leary had to tip over as Gabriel fired in from the right flank - and then Semenyo controlled the ball in midfield and sent O'Dowda away off the shoulder of the last man only for the winger to crumple feebly and needlessly to the floor under the slightest pressure. It was all City by now but without finding the killer pass.
On 33 all action Massengo again robbed an opponent and in one touch fed Weimann but the City captain gave it away cheaply to cue another rapid left wing break for Blackpool that was swept into the far post with no one on hand to finish. Massengo was still trying to effect a one man rebellion and stole into the box and was cut down but no penalty.
Then the sucker punch - new boy Klose over elaborated and then underhit a clearance and O'Dowda offered nothing as Blackpool recovered possession and took advantage of disorganisation to lift the ball to the back post where Yates headed down into space for Hamilton to turn in easily. A terrible goal to concede that summed up City's mistakes.
Within seconds it was two, DaSilva got in a tangle clearing routinely against the striker from a deep right wing cross and from the corner Madine bundled in. The most naive of 2-0 defecits after a bright start - typical of City's self destruct. O'Dowda ran inside the full back before the break and crossed onto the bar - before rightly being taken off.
Any hopes of a second half revival to warm the frozen and damp 1000+ City fans ended rapidly as Weimann and Semenyo tried to combine and lost out to allow yet another Blackpool break that put Bowler into space down the right, the winger casually striding forward, cutting inside past Pring to make room to drill low into the bottom corner.
Some City fans would have left at this point to find a nearby drinking establishment and the usual luminous lights, wipe clean seats and day-glo shot glasses. But not me, I stay to the end just so I can freeze my nuts off to say I remembered every aspect of our fifth month without an away win. It may also be because I don't like plastic Blackpool pubs.
On 52 good work by DaSilva put Scott into space in the box off a defender but the star youngster scuffed his tame shot straight at the keeper. The game became scrappy as City clung on grimly to avoid a fourth and midway through the second period our rare break found Martin in the right channel who fed Semenyo in the box, firing side netting.
On 71 we finally worked players into the box and Pring ran inside defenders and laid it off left for Semenyo who dropped a shoulder to slip inside the edge of the box and curl just over the bar. Next Scott spun his marker in the channel and was hacked down, from the free kick Williams curling it top corner - but claimed easily by underworked Grimshaw.
On 76 a short corner saw Scott lay back to Williams to fire badly low and wide - the sub then becoming embroiled in a head to head with Madine who sent him to the floor as the game boiled over. On 83 Semenyo was sent clear down the left and spreaded it easily to Williams in the box but the eager midfielder underhit his tame lob straight to the keeper.
A consolidation was inevitable and with five left a Pring run in the left channel gave City time and space to exchange with Semenyo - who again laid off for Williams whose cross into the box sailed over everyone but found DaSilva racing in beyond the last man, and squaring for substitute Wells to tap in. It was a moment of fun for the freezing away fans.
City couldn't string together their passing of a week earlier so there was little danger of a comeback as the match fizzled out with the hosts as likely to grab a fourth. Pearson has said he wants a side that grinds out results but this is anything but - besides two young midfielders today we had plenty who didn't fancy the cold and rain and surrendered.
O'Leary 4 The blueprint is clear now he doesn't help his centre backs at crosses - never comes and concedes regularly
Kalas 6 Tireless and let down by those around him
Klose 5 Still good passing and interesting seeing him ripping into teammates after mistakes - but his clearance among them
Pring 4 Worst game in a City shirt from one of our best players this season - poor with the ball, badly positioned without it
Scott 7 Classy touches and head up despite lack of quality in front of him
Massengo 7 Bang on form tearing around to win the ball and cue up teammates - too good for us
O'Dowda 4 Pathetic tumble given chance to run clear sums him up - and awful for first
DaSilva 6 Actually provides a great pivot for us playing Semenyo into the channel when we play out, good assist and easily one of our better players
Weimann 4 Never in the game today - don't think he ever had the ball under control
Martin 4 Ditto - awful touches on the ball and contributed absolutely nothing
Semenyo 6 Some really Prem worthy touches but on his own for most of it
Williams 6 All action and hard working - definitely dictates play when he's in midfield
Wells 5 Nice tap in
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On 30/01/2022 at 17:00, Barrs Court Red said:
The whole thing was weird. That Rob F seemed to take the brunt of the North Street mafia.
So weird that they setup their own little message board where a couple of them discussed where I lived, my movements and said that me and other City fans would probably smash up their premises (still happily trading on North Street having survived us nasty football supporters). Also had print outs of OTIB postings pushed through my door by the same lot with anonymous messages too. @TomF was not alone! It's been quite a journey posting on OTIB let alone running it.
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We're three weeks short of Nigel Pearson's one year anniversary and City, growing both in confidence and swagger in recent weeks, produced easily not only the best display of his challenging reign, but one of the best at this level since promotion in 2015 - being in complete control for long periods, opening up Preston with slick passing combinations throughout while being strong and tigerish without the ball. Close to a complete game.
All the more remarkable therefore that City's familiar achilles heel reared it's ugly head in - even by Pearson's last minute record - the most preposterous of manner, the dominant away side surrendering a first away victory since September with literally the last kick of the game, and in a match where if anything it was them that should have gone further in front, dominating even in the final moments before the most ridiculous of sucker punch.
With Tim Klose making his debut in central defence it took a while for the game to open up - when it did, it was all City. On 10 from a Scott free kick the visitors won a corner and DaSilva's left wing set piece prompted head tennis with O'Dowda eventually glancing on to Klose himself whose header was claimed by keeper Iverson just under his crossbar. It was one of the first contributions from what was a classy arrival for the Swiss defender.
Minutes later all action Scott charged down a midfield opponent in Preston's half, stole the ball and slipped it inside to start a slick move from which Weimann on the run fed it through the lines and into the box for Martin to stride in and on the turn fire back across the keeper and low into the far corner. This was City at their convincing best, pressing the opposition high up, stealing possession and carving through with slick interplay.
Before 20 minutes a DaSilva and Semenyo combination on the right touchline teased a way through Preston again, Scott turning inside and giving DaSilva room to cross and though it was half cleared by now Semenyo was central and ready to laser a volley just over the bar. Next an outrageous one two on the same side saw Kalas of all people take a return from DaSilva flush to the touchline to go clear, his wicked cross turned behind.
This was a City display travelling fans had not seen for years, all over their hosts, slick combinations and overlaps while giving the home side nothing, Archer's run through the left channel after half an hour into the box but easily muscled out by Kalas. He and the new man Klose were both winning headers and too strong for Preston, while confidently passing out from the back, the debutant in particular with l a range of accurate passes.
But City did not capitalise on two stunning moves. On 35 Kalas won the ball in midfield and Scott stylishly fed Martin whose deep ball found O'Dowda in space left of the box only to fire over. Then a deep Scott free kick after the marauding Massengo was hacked down was half cleared but the rebound fell to the combative Semenyo left of the box, he squared dangerously across the area to Weimann who fired wide of an open goal.
It was only from the restart that Preston got any momentum, Archer curling over at the edge of the box. But minutes later an inch perfect sliderule pass from Klose dissected opponents and found Semenyo on the left flank - whose quick instincts put O'Dowda immediately clear on goal. The winger was in acres of space and had time to square to Martin for an easy tap in, only to be whistled back, adjudging him to have slipped offside.
Then a cruel twist, Preston with barely any threat, saw a low drive by Archer from the edge of the box tipped wide by O'Leary but into the path of Riis Jakobsen who was able to fire home. At the other end despite Klose down on halfway with an injury, Massengo chased back a home break to intercept on the edge of the box, DaSilva then breaking himself and putting Semenyo clear through, seemingly tackled in the box but no penalty.
Williams joined for O'Dowda, sadly our least effective player, with the game becoming an increasingly scrappy affair as home players threw themselves to ground on any contact hoping to break up City's relentless rhythm to get a foothold. Most notably with quarter of an hour left Weimann put the irrepressible Semenyo clear but on turning into the box in front of a defender he tumbled in the area - only for the ref to give the foul against him.
With Williams now controlling midfield City were dominating as much as the first half. A Martin break down the right channel cut the ball back for Pring to eventually run on and win a corner. When the corner was recycled Massengo dropped a shoulder and slipped a ball into the box for Semenyo at the near post who slammed it unerringly through the keeper into roof of the net - in front of away fans, euphoria at a deserved, overdue lead.
City finished the match absolutely dominant with Williams now pulling the strings - going on an endless run through Preston players, finding quick footed Massengo skipping into the box, and from the half clearance Martin curled just over the top corner. The visitors were now breaking at will as Preston pushed up, Semenyo, Weimann and even Martin all running clear into the channels but not once turning for the corner to run the clock down.
Amazingly City would pay - from their most wasteful break or the lot. Pring went off on a barnstorming run with literally seconds left, he kept on running, got to the box but there was no pass and no shot, and when he was robbed edge of the box Preston broke down their right, swung in a cross and Jakobsen peeled off Vyner and volleyed into the top corner for his second, and a little deserved equaliser from the last kick of the game.
City have made a bad habit this season of throwing away leads, but for those massed up in the steep away stand at Deepdale this was among the most painful and ridiculous. Perhaps the best that City has played since promotion, with Scott and Massengo head and shoulders above everyone on the pitch with energy, closing, quick thinking touches and combinations. A stand out performance for them and for manager Nigel Pearson.
O'Leary 6 Good distribution and a few good parries but worrying now how little he claims crosses
Kalas 8 Comfortable with and without the ball and was everywhere
Klose 8 Always organizing and speaking, won his headers and passing
Pring 7 Solid as always but should have been smarter in the 95th minute
Massengo 9 Unplayable, incredible engine chased everything broke up play and some great touches
Scott 9 Ran out of a bit of steam but prior to that as complete a midfield performance as I've seen from a City player, for a slight 18 year old he was breaking up play, getting stuck in, producing top class touches to get away from them and setting up attacks
DaSilva 7 Combined well with teammates and notable that most of our threat came down the right his side rather than via the orthodox winger the other side
O'Dowda 5 I don't have an agenda he just doesn't do the things Scott, Massengo, and many others do. Very little to speak about and a terrible finish.
Weimann 6 Horrible miss but bags of energy and often just making a run was key to creating the space others thrived on
Martin 7 He's a different player to the one at the end of last year, seems to have a new gear and linking up well throughout
Semenyo 8 Constant threat, like Scott the touches on the ball are a class above this level, gets it away from opponents so effortlessly and got in behind them at will
Williams 7
Cundy 5
Vyner 5
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4 hours ago, lenred said:
I can’t imagine paying my contributions in one hit tbh. Must be a right Bastard!
It doesn't work like that anymore I don't think unless @bcfc01has got very lucky. Instead of paying it all at end of the year they make you pay two sums 'on account' at the start of the year and in the middle of the year to cover the tax due at the end of the year, and because the number likely isn't known, they ask for what they guess it will be which unless you're on a proper fiddle is far far more painful than simply having the predictability of PAYE.
It's like saying give me some money now until you can work out later what you owe. I do accept the fairness of it (why should some people get cash tax free for a year) but pay now calculate later feels a bit like a mugging.
As this is all a bit non-football we should never have sold Eliasson and if we had been able to pair him with Djuric we'd be in the Champions League by now.
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Apparently I've been harsh on O'Dowda and have an agenda. If being sick of his act is having an agenda then I'll wear that, I'm sick of watching the bloke.
The fact he was supposedly no worse or no better than others around him yesterday (I don't agree, but let's go along with it) should be a damning indictment for a player who has been with us for over 5 years and is the senior, experienced pro alongside Scott, Massengo, Pring, DaSilva, Semenyo, yet consistently doesn't know what to do, plays with half as much drive, and produces little end product.
His only attribute is athleticism, running around screening his opponent and occasionally getting on the ball to run head down. But (and this is why I don't accept he is "no worse" than anyone else) he doesn't really take on his man and he doesn't break the lines with any conviction (see: Pring, twice, even 95th minute) and his crosses are aimless (relative to DaSilva curled back post, twice, Pring too).
Perhaps others can be more level headed watching on Robins TV but travelling around watching him consistently add so little and make mistakes (surrender when fed on our first break after Luton's second - sizing up a pass or run with no player within six yards of him, only to underhit it straight to them) is exhausting. And judging by his walk past our end it's more tiring watching him than being him.
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A recent upturn in the quality of City football has threatened a breakout performance full of possession, interplay and endeavour. Yet when it finally arrived tonight in a one sided display, dominated by City at Luton Town's Kenilworth Road, the noisy away fans had to watch in disbelief as we managed to lose a game that more than ever we had control of.
Nigel Pearson's men had dominated for long spells and in Massengo, Scott, Weimann and man of the match Pring had willing workers who controlled play time and again - but the best two crosses of the match were Luton's, whipped in high and deep to meet Hatters' players queueing up to attack it far post and nod in. Direct, effective - smash and grab.
City were comfortably on top from the start yet without creating a single chance, a first quarter of the game where they would win a succession of corners through quick breaks, Weimann twice spinning clear from the left onto through balls, while DaSilva and Scott combined intricately on the right to work chances, yet never setting up a shot in goal.
On 27 O'Dowda, otherwise anonymous and a long way short of the drive and effort of his teammates, was fed clear down the left, cut back and lobbed an aimless ball into the box that was half cleared to where DaSilva stole into the box looking for an angle, from the clearance for a throw in City's cross was half cleared and Massengo volleyed over.
Luton had been non existent all first half but after 37 Vyner initially did well to shepherd Muskwe wide from a rare high ball forward, only to lose out on the touchline, the striker going clear into the box from the byline and driving a low cross in on goal that Kalas had to come flying across diving low to cut out for the hosts first corner - a first rare threat.
Perhaps it was a warning as minutes later Vyner stepped away from an attacker and ran on in midfield only to be injured and lose out on City's forray down the right, a Luton break seeing DaSilva turn away for a corner and after treatment for Vyner, the recycled set piece was whipped in by Bree to the far post where Lockyer led a queue to head in.
It was jarring how a high rapid cross had led to such a pin point threat where City instead had routinely failed to threaten out wide for all their purpose and interplay. A first lesson in crossing, and an unexpected lead at half time - into the second period another cagey start for both teams as the visitors took the game to Luton again without end product.
On 54 it was the irrepressible Pring who ran through defenders from a throw in, powering to the byline before backheeling to O'Dowda whose deep cross was met poorly by Martin heading down into the ground. Minutes later Semenyo turned his man to play Weimann in through the middle, the top scorer racing in to steer a low shot into the bottom corner.
City by now had to make their superiority count and on the hour Massengo's fizzing shot was deflected over and from DaSilva's rasping right wing corner, Martin headed back from the far post and Pring volleyed perfectly at the top corner, Shea somehow tipping over desperately - albeit the referee somehow whistled to flag O'Dowda offside.
On the midway point of the second half yet another City attack broke down on the left, Luton skipping away from hesitant O'Dowda and leaving Pring to chop down Adebayo in his own half. From the free kick Bree swung in another deep cross and far post Lockyer again headed goalwards with men queueing up, this time Adebayo bundling in the rebound.
In response a move out to O'Dowda on the left touchline saw the physically capable but consistently uncertain winger with time and space to size up opponents, only to freeze, think, then underhit a short pass straight to them. A damning indictment for a cautious, careless player whose lack of drive is put to shame by youngsters Pring, Scott and Massengo.
He and Semenyo (booked) were hauled off for Wells and the returning Joe Williams for the final 15, the former looking well off the pace, the latter a welcome addition. On 84 the move of the match, Scott from deep via Williams in midfield and out to DaSilva left whose deep cross headed down by Martin, for Weimann to swivel and curl just over.
It was again one way traffic in injury time as Williams return ball back over to City's left wing, saw Weimann steer his header across the face of goal where Wells hit side netting. Then Pring, further showing up O'Dowda's contribution, went on a lung bursting run through the lines and still produced a cross that Conway nor Williams could convert.
Somehow City had contrived to lose a sixth away game in seven winless attempts and more remarkably in yet another improved performance where they dominated out of midfield and produced arguably their most convincing football with the ball this season - only to be beaten by a familiar inability to defend from deep crosses into the far post.
O'Leary 5 Question whether could have claimed for either goal
Pring 8 Great on the ball, never stopped running at either end, frankly puts O'Dowda to shame
Kalas 7 Cleared up for others a few times but will be unhappy with the goals
Vyner 6 Usual hit and miss, elegant turn one minute out muscled the next
Massengo 7 Never stopped fighting for the ball, two shots heading goalwards
Scott 7 Ran midfield for long periods, a very mature performance
O'Dowda 4 Uses none of his attributes and offers nothing when will this end
DaSilva 6 His crosses and ball retention were markedly better than O'Dawdle
Weimann 7 The only player consistently pressing
Martin 7 Multiple headers down to setup chances
Semenyo 6 Well dealt with, rarely able to run at goal
Wells 4 Didn't look at all sharp or ready to play
Williams 6 Helped link up play from side to side and looked keen
Conway 5 Didn't have right studs, slipped when given chance
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19 minutes ago, Red Army 75 said:
https://www.cardiffcityforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=225858
Good letter from there FLO in the link. Embarrassing for Cardiff
They smashed it up BEFORE the game?? I assumed it was a petulant reaction afterwards. What kind of idiots wreck their own toilet facilities prior to 90 minutes of a football match.
I must admit when "3-1 on your big day out" was being sung I looked across at some of their faces and think "3-1 on your care workers day off" would have been more appropriate.
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I helps when we win but I really enjoyed that @headhunter. Not sure who Neil is but very sensible and interesting thoughts on Bakinson, league position and FFP.
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Luton is a major hub for Easyjet John, I think you're missing a trick here
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2 minutes ago, Bristol Rob said:
Have a look at the CyclingMikey YouTube channel.
Not that he is being deliberately antagonistic for clicks, likes and revenue.
They don’t need YouTube clicks to be antagonistic. I never knew playing Frogger 30 years ago would be so important but I have to dodge Turquoise Deliveroo and Orange Just Eat cyclists heading right at me on the payment and that’s the easiest bit - if I step into the road even when I can cross Lycra clad nonces swing at me while flying through red lights. Have had more punches thrown at me by cyclists than all away matches in my life put together.
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15 hours ago, Oh Louie louie said:
Cyclists and raxi drivers are not the best of friends in london, in some areas.
I have friends who are cyclists but trust me on this - cyclists are the biggest mob in London. Don’t worry about Chelsea or Millwall, the single biggest London firm is cyclists - on pavements, cycle highways, roads, wherever they want and they love aggro. Offering out the rest of us. Hardly a day goes by without that nonsense. Sitts has called it for years.
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Match Report: City players reward themselves with another day off
in Football Chat
Posted
After finally winning an away game (up at Blackburn on Saturday) the least surprising thing ever happened as Nigel Pearson's sad disinterested rabble handed themselves yet another day off for managing to win a game - like Bramhall Lane, Forest, Blackpool and many others beforehand - this time allowing relegation threatened Barnsley to run riot.
The Tykes converted twice in 20 minutes via headers from uncontested left wing corners, in a match where City gave the ball away or made unforced errors the entire time, while being non existent in midfield, getting two of their more influential midfielders injured, and anonymous save for Semenyo's attempts to single handedly kick start a first half revival.
Instead of teammates following his lead and putting a foot on the ball to go at opponents like the City youngster, after the break they decided it'd be easier on balance if they all just gave the ball away and watched on as the survival battling hosts teed off time and again at Bentley's goal in an even more one sided half that could easily have ended 4-0.
From the off Semenyo's purpose won a right wing corner on a rare break but all the drive and purpose was from Barnsley to open City up. After 10 Cundy gave away a corner from their left and Wolfe headed back at the far post to where Morris hooked easily inside an empty near post. Calamitous defending for a side setup with three big centre backs.
For City Semenyo won a corner and Matty James - awful throughout - screwed miles wide from the edge of box after DaSilva and Massengo combined down the left. But the quality was coming from Barnsley and by 20 another left wing corner (stalled by the ref for the ball outside the quadrant) saw Helik easily peel off and head in at the far post.
This was abysmal stuff from the supposedly renewed and bouyant away City side. On 28 a chance of a response - Semenyo showed brilliant skill to drop a shoulder to turn away from the last man on the left, racing clear to the byline to cross low and hard into the box but Weimann met the ball in the box with an unusually wild finish that went high and wide.
Things got worse as City lost Alex Scott to a knee injury before the break, Williams on in the so far anonymous midfield while DaSilva switched to right wing back and Weimann pushed forward. The visitors enjoyed a spell of pressure around the box but as usual an unforced error ended it, Massengo gave the ball away left wing with teammates forward.
After half time City's only hope Semenyo got away from his marker with neat footwork at the second attempt and fed DaSilva running into the right of the box but his low shot was held. City were comically bad from then on - James gave it away in his own half under no pressure while sub Williams limped back off as a porous midfield went from bad to worse.
Striker Wells was on and his first input was to get to the byline and then simply lift the ball out of play under no pressure and with Semenyo in the six yard box. Barnsley didn't need much invitation to carve through their opponents and after an hour tore in off the right, several balls causing panic, as Morris forced the best of several blocks and saves.
No surprise another left wing corner and yet another no show from City as Quina on the edge of the box had time to volley into the side netting. Next Weimann was robbed in open play and Quina lashed another shot in on goal from range just past the far post. At the other end Martin headed over leaning in to James' right wing cross from a rare move.
City briefly rallied and DaSilva went clear to force a parry from which Semenyo forced a save with the rebound and Atkinson headed over from a corner. It was a brief sideshow. Bassi had space on the left to force Bentley to save at the second attempt. Fullback Vita then also forced a stinging save at the near post. Barnsley in first gear and all over us.
Next DaSilva half cleared straight to Brittain who put Bassi in down the right channel - to volley narrowly past Bentley's near post. Yet another sighter and with better finishing this awful City side would be 4 or 5-0 down. One more push for a response saw Weimann put Semenyo into space down the left channel - but he injured himself lashing wildly over.
In injury time easily our best chance of the game as Wells got to the byline on the right and lifted a perfect ball that Martin steered goalwards to be cleared off the line under the bar - from the recycle sub Conway saw his shot deflected wide. Before the end City picked out Wells with keeper to beat but he didn't connect with a simple near post flick.
It summed up an evening where City made a lifetime's worth of unforced errors and never got close to shutting down or slowing down a relegation threatened Barnsley side which was supposed to be their inferior. The reality is that while Pearson's side has good days, it is not clear if they have many sides worse than them, such is their awful consistency.
After all the positivity off a win at Blackburn (a win at Blackburn!) the truth is no matter how much the club spin us out with endless "uncut" video of players training (they train! this is remarkable!) this is easily the softest and most easily found out set of players we have had since we were last relegated and Pearson has no idea how to manage them.
Bentley 6
Klose 5
Atkinson 4
Cundy 4
DaSilva 6
Weimann 4
James 3
Massengo 3
Scott 4
Martin 4
Semenyo 7
Williams 4
Wells 4
Conway 5